The Ordination Board

Pastor Terrance M. Curtain Jr. - Chairman

Pastor Terrance Michael Curtain Jr., is the eldest of four sons born to Terrance Sr. and Linda Curtain on December 31, 1978 in Cleveland, Ohio.

At a young age, Pastor TC actively participated in many church activities, and even delivered speeches at different churches around the state. At the young age of 10, Pastor TC accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior, while attending Vacation Bible School with his Great-Grandmother, Marion Woo.

Pastor TC continued to demonstrate his love for the Lord, by playing the drums in church. While attending Shaker Heights High School, he founded the Inspirational Teen Fellowship Night, a teen youth group that met every Friday. Pastor TC graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1997. He attended the University of Toledo, and earned a Bachelors of Education degree in 2001. Pastor TC attended Ashland University and earned a Masters of Education degree in 2012. Pastor TC plans to continue to pursue a Master of Divinity degree (which is about 1/2 complete), at the Ashland Theological Seminary.

In 2000, Pastor TC accepted his call to the ministry under the guidance of Elder Edward T. Cook, (Pastor of New Life COGIC) in Toledo, Ohio. After graduation, Pastor TC returned to Cleveland to continue in his training in ministry under his father Elder Terrance M. Curtain Sr. (Pastor of Tree Of Life COGIC) In 2002, Terrance went to serve under his grandfather, Eld. Burton D. Clemons (Pastor of Tower Of Prayer COGIC and Christ The King COGIC). In 2009, Tree of Life COGIC and Christ the King COGIC merged, and Elder Terrance M. Curtain Sr. was appointed pastor. Pastor TC continued to serve as the Assistant Pastor until January 1st, 2013, when Pastor Terrance M. Curtain Sr. "passed the torch". Pastor TC was later installed by Bishop Edward T. Cook (Ohio North First Jurisdiction COGIC) Pastor TC was selected by Bishop Edward T. Cook, to serve on the “Vision Team”, the Ordination Board of the Ohio North First Jurisdiction Churches of God in Christ, and more recently appointed as the Director of the Ordination Board of Ohio North First Jurisdiction COGIC in March 2014. Elder Curtain is the Pastor of Generation Church (formerly Tree of Life COGIC) in Cleveland, Ohio. Pastor TC is the proud father of six beautiful girls (Taylor, Tori, Tristen, Nia, Tinley-Anne, and McKenzie)

Pastor TC continues to work full time as the Principal of the Academy of Health and Public Safety at Martin Luther King Jr. High School (Cleveland Metropolitan Schools). He is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.

Pastor Samuel C. Canty - Secretary

Samuel Cardel Canty was born in 1967 to the late Evangelist Ethel and John Canty in Cincinnati, OH. He is the oldest child and has two sisters. Samuel was reared in Holiness at the Mount Olive Holy Temple Church under the ministry of his great uncle, the late Bishop Timothy Smith, Sr. One New Year’s Eve service under the ministry of his grandmother, the late Mother Eunice Smith Ealey, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and received the Baptism in the Holy Ghost—he was just eight years old.

At Mount Olive, Samuel was a choir member, served on the usher board, Sunday school teacher, Bible Study teacher, and praise and worship leader. While a teenager at the age of 17, he was licensed a minister. Minister Canty attributes his dedication to ministry to the examples he had in his family; namely his grandmother who wrote For This Purpose I was Born in the 1960’s and the examples his mother provided. He has taken on their tenacity, strength, courage and inspiration.

Minister Canty graduated with honors from Withrow High School. He was a member of the National Honor’s Society, President of the International Club, school choir member and senior class treasurer. During lunch time he was often found in the library leading Bible study. Samuel earned a bachelor of arts in African American Studies with a minor in religious studies from the University of Cincinnati; a certification and master’s degree in Special Education from Xavier University; and a master’s of arts in education from Miami University.Minister Canty has worked for Cincinnati Public Schools as both a regular education and special education teacher for more than 15 years. In 1988 Minister Canty joined the Good News Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Pastor James H. Quick, Sr. He served in more than 15 positions in the church including: chairman, executive board, assistant pastor, Bible study director, new member orientation teacher, and youth president. He served as Sunday school superintendent of the Greater Cincinnati District of Ohio North First Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ. In 1992 he was ordained an elder by the late Bishop William M. James, Prelate of Ohio North First Jurisdiction. In 2008, he was appointed to the Ordination Committee of Ohio North by Jurisdictional Bishop Edward T. Cook.On June 27, 2013, Bishop Edward T. Cook appointed Elder Canty as the pastor of the Good News Church of God in Christ.

In 2004, Pastor Canty met his wife, District Missionary Natalie Ocean Canty at the Holy Convocation of the Church of God in Christ in Memphis, TN. They reside in Cincinnati, OH and have been married since 2006.

Dr. Charles Bell

Elder Dr. Charles Bell was born and raised in Akron, Ohio. He is one of two siblings (sister) Opal Green.Dr. Bell obtained a Masters in Christian Counseling Psychology from the Northeast Ohio School of Ministry - Elyria, Ohio in May 2010. Dr. Bell obtained a Ed.D. in Religion of Education. Dr. Bell has certification in Christian Teaching and Christian Counseling in over thirty-eight states and thirteen nations. He is currently teaching the Old Testament and New Testament Survey while working towards his Th.D. Degree in Theology which he will receive soon.

Over the past twenty eight years. Dr. Bell has done whatever he can do to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to fellow workers, colleagues, and strangers by visiting homes, hospitals and prisons to comfort and support. He has assisted Clergy and Deacons in planning, organizing and goal setting, so that responsive programs were developed which assured the vitality of the church.

He is a member of the Ordination Board of the Ohio North Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

Dr. Bell loves the Word of God and has been preaching and teaching since 1988. Dr. Bell has served in ministry in various capacities and has had a passion for teaching people how to apply the Word of God in their everyday lives, whether he is preaching to a few individuals or a multitude of people. Dr. Bell delivers the Word of God with an eagerness to see Christian walk in the blessings of the Lord. For over 25 years. He has served faithfully at Greater Holy Trinity Church of God In Christ (Akron, Ohio), under the leadership of Superintendent Clarence L. Jackson Sr., in a short period of time, he was appointed deacon, and ordained as minister, and later ordained as Elder.

Dr. Bell is happily married to Ceola Bell and is the proud father one son Willie Clyde Bell, Grandfather of Renee Ludle and four Great-Grandchildren.

Superintendent Ross Johnson

Superintendent Ross Johnson is the pastor of Bethel Church of God In Christ (COGIC) in Youngstown, Ohio. He has served the Bethel COGIC, his second pastorate, for nineteen years. He was previously the pastor of the Zion COGIC, Toledo, Ohio for six years.On July 17th, 2008 Superintendent Johnson was appointed pastor of the Mount Zion COGIC in Sandusky, Ohio were he also continues to serve enthusiastically. Supt. Johnson began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in July of 1970 at the age of seventeen, under the mentorship of the late Superintendent Nolan Brown in Warren, Ohio. Four years after high school, Superintendent Johnson obtained two baccalaureate degrees in Psychology and Communication Studies from the esteemed Oberlin College. Superintendent Johnson was ordained in 1978 by the late Bishop Robert S. Fields, and later received a certificate of Pastoral Studies from Emmaus Bible School in 1989. Superintendent Johnson has various achievements in academia and his ministry for Christ. Pastor Johnson retired August 1st, 2008 from General Motors Delphi Packard Electric Division after serving in various management positions for thirty years. Through all of his achievement he has had the support of his family; Sheila, his wife of 37 years, and their children, Tamara (Mark Mason) and Kevin Johnson.On February 26th, 2006, Elder Johnson was installed as the District Superintendent of the Greater Mahoning Valley District of the Ohio North First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ. Superintendent Johnson has served the Church as the District Young People Willing Workers (Y.P.W.W.) President, Warren #2 District, and Regional President of the Evangelist Department and Y.P.W.W. of Ohio North First Jurisdiction. In July of 1989 the then Elder Ross Johnson was appointed by Bishop William Morgan James as the Jurisdictional Secretary of the Ohio North First Jurisdiction where he served through the tenure of Bishop James and continued to serve Bishop Walter E. Jordan until 2008. In January 2008, Bishop Edward T. Cook appointed Superintendent Johnson, Administrative Assistant, and Director of Ministry Development. The work of the Lord continues.

Elder Willie L. Templeton Jr.

Elder Willie L. Templeton Jr is the oldest son of Pastor Willie L. Templeton Sr. and Martha Norman. Born and raised in the church, Elder Templeton was a member of the Tower of Prayer COGIC under the leadership of Pastor Burton D. Clemons, in Akron, Ohio. As a young person, he was very active in youth church, the choir, and helped with cleaning the church. Elder Templeton, aka “Temp” acknowledged his call to ministry at the age of 18. In 1983 Elder Templeton joined the U.S Army, and spent time at Fort Hood, in Kellen, Tx and Camp Long in Wonju, Korea. In 1986 Elder Templeton moved to Springfield, MA and joined the Macedonia COGIC under the leadership of the Late Bishop Bryant Robinson Sr. While at Macedonia, Elder. Templeton was licensed, and ordained. He was the local youth leader, and was promoted to Youth President for the Greater Massachusetts Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, under the leadership of Bishop Bryant Robinson Jr. While in Springfield, Elder Templeton attended Springfield Technical Community College and The Hartford Theological Seminary. In 2003, Elder Templeton relocated to Dayton, Ohio. Elder Templeton is a member of the Greater Prayer Garden COGIC, and the District Youth President of the Greater Cincinnati District, both of which are under the leadership of Supt H. Douglas McMahon. Elder Templeton also serves with the Men’s ministry of the Ohio North 1st Jurisdiction. Elder Templeton is the husband of Evangelist Missionary Donna M. Templeton and they will celebrate 28 years of marriage come November. Together they have two great and gifted sons, Willie L Templeton III and Isaiah J Templeton, a beautiful daughter-in-law Ariana (Willie III) Templeton and a delightful granddaughter Addison Marie Templeton. Elder Templeton is employed by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. He is the Chaplain and Program Coordinator which involves developing effective programs, coordinating volunteer efforts and providing for the spiritual and emotional needs of the inmates.

Elder David L. Reliford

Mr. David L. Reliford is the President and owner of Cornerstone Companies, which include Cornerstone Executive Search Group LLC (CESG), and Cornerstone Information Assurance LTD. (CIA). CESG specializes in the placement of Senior level diverse professionals in the areas of Accounting, Construction, Finance, Hospitality, and Manufacturing. CIA is a full service background and screening company.

He is considered an astute professional by his peers, skilled in increasing organizational effectiveness, while identifying opportunities for growth. He is a highly accomplished leader with engaging interpersonal and relationship, building skills, an entrepreneurial self-starter with proven experience and expertise in obtaining results through accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Before starting his entrepreneurialism ventures, he began his professional career with General Mills Restaurant Group Inc., now Darden Restaurants, in their Management Trainee Program. He progressed quickly to General Manager, and later to Regional Director of Operations, overseeing a Thirty-Million Dollar Budget, 40 salaried and 300 hourly employees, receiving numerous company awards in sales and profit increases. While employed with General Mills Restaurant Group, David was featured in the January/February 1990 issue of The Black Collegian magazine for his exemplary work and high achievements in the corporate arena. After 14 years with General Mills, David joined Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, where he was employed for 6 years, as a Corporate Recruiter.

Elder Reliford began his college career at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and later completed his Bachelor's degree in Management at Malone University in Canton, Ohio. He has earned over 40 graduate credits from Ashland Theological Seminary, in pursuit of his Masters of Divinity degree.

Elder Reliford (third generation of The Church of God In Christ) is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, where he grew up in Jerusalem Church of God in Christ under his godfather's leadership, the late Pastor Percy A. Grisby. He accepted his call to Ministry in 2003 and was ordained as an Elder in 2006 under the late Bishop Walter E. Jordan. He is currently on the ordination board for Ohio North Jurisdiction number one, Chairman of the Trustee Board at Greater Holy Trinity Church of God In Christ, Superintendent in the Sunday School Department, and Bible Band teacher.

He is the proud parent of four daughters, one son and five grandchildren. He is an avid golfer who also enjoys sports, music and people. You will seldom catch him without a smile on his face. Elder Reliford loves people and he has gifts of administration, and helps.

Current or past affiliations include: NAACP, Canton Urban League - Executive Board Member, Rotary International (Massillon Chapter) - Executive Board Member, Boy Scouts of America (Buckeye Council) - Board Member, and member of the Society of Human Resource Professionals. Elder Reliford is the current Fourth District Chaplain (Ohio and West Virginia) of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, for the last eleven years, past Basileus for the Kappa Tau Chapter in Canton, Ohio where he initiated their annual scholarship awards and scholarship endowment fund which has given out over $50,000 to minority students.

Elder Will Smith

​​Elder William A. Smith Jr. was born in Gary, Indiana where he was a member of Trinity Church of God In Christ. It was there at the age of 16 years old he received the Lord Jesus as his savior. Shortly after giving his life to the Lord Eld. Smith submitted to the call of the Lord to carry his gospel and preach. In August 0f 1996 Eld. Smith moved to Dayton, Ohio to attend college after graduation. He became a member of Mt. Olivet COGIC under the leadership of Pastor Ozell Northern Sr.On July 26, 19977 Eld. Smith was joined in holy wedlock to Shawanda Smith. Shawanda is the youngest daughter of Pastor Northern and his late wife Ruby Northern. Currently Eld. Smith will be married to Evangelist Missionary Shawanda Smith for twenty years on July 26th of this year. Eld. Smith serves as one of the adjutants to our Jurisdictional Prelate the Right Reverend Edward T. Cook of the Ohio North First Jurisdiction. Eld. Smith also serves on the Ordination Committee where Pastor Terrance Curtain is the director. Finally Eld. Smith is a faithful ordained elder at Mt. Olivet COGIC. He endeavors to begin a church in the near future and remain a part of ONFJ.